Hafiz Saeed mocks US ban on MML, says party's credibility 'has been proved'

The US Department of State designated on Monday the MML as an LeT affiliate

Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed mocked on Friday the recent ban imposed by the United States on Milli Muslim League (MML) party, saying the move has "proved the organisation's credibility".

MML spokesperson Tabish Qayyum, however, clarified that it was an independent political party led by Prof Saifullah Khalid as its president, adding that Saeed issued the statement in his 'personal capacity'.

The US Department of State amended its designation of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) on Monday, identifying MML and Tehreek-e-Azadi-e-Kashmir (TAJK) as LeT affiliates, making it impossible for them to register as political parties.

"The MML has been banned," Saeed said while addressing his supporters at a rally. "Well, a party's that is banned by the US is the one that actually holds some credibility."

The Americans, he added, understand that this is the political party they cannot be an ally with.



Saeed also asked Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to dedicate the rest of his day in office while speaking for the cause of Kashmir. "The US will exclude your name from among its loyalists, but that will be a matter of honour."

He also expressed solidarity with Kashmiris and vowed to go to every nook and corner of Pakistan to awaken the countrymen on the Kashmiris' plight.

The campaign will reach a point where, Saeed added, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will forget about Kashmir and start worrying about India.

The JuD chief added that those who were involved in the Kunduz airstrike that killed seminary students were "enemies of Islam."